Chiang Mai Tiger Kingdom

an amazing place you won't forget

Premiere travel destinations that provide the most lasting memories typically have one thing in common: the ability to provide a once in a lifetime experience. The Chiang Mai Tiger Kingdom (sometimes mistakenly called Tiger Temple) in Thailand is one of those rare places, offering adventurous tourists the opportunity to interact with majestic tigers.Starting out earlier in the year 2000, Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai has welcomed thousands of tourists since their humble beginnings as the Ubon Zoo. The main attraction here is no doubt the tigers the compound is named for — the regal stars of the show. Coming up close and personal with these animals is truly an experience you won’t soon forget.

Patrons of the Tiger Kingdom are given an unprecedented level of access to the tigers, allowed to fully interact with them under the protective guidance of their handlers. There’s nothing to fear from these notorious predators, however, as the tigers learn from an early age not to use aggressive behavior toward their human counterparts.

The level of trust between animal and human allows for truly unique bond. It’s an exhilarating feeling to scratch the belly of a tiger weighing several hundred pounds. Tiger Kingdom is a place to come that gives you a true appreciation for exotic animals — as well as taking advantage of a priceless photo op.

Perhaps the greatest aspect of Tiger Kingdom is how well cared for the animals are, despite living outside their natural habitat in the wild. The animals are hand reared by trained professionals with a passion for wildlife, trainers that are essentially considered family to these large cats.

Tiger Kingdom is also an opportunity to interact with very young tiger cubs. Less than a year in age, these smaller cats are incredibly playful and often require special attention throughout tourist interactions. Occasionally their licking can turn into playful biting, a behavior that is discouraged as it could prove dangerous in the future. It takes plenty of due diligence to ensure these cubs can safely interact with human visitors among the Tiger Kingdom.

This is a sanctuary where the animals can genuinely feel at peace, which no doubt attributes to their relaxed temperament. Many of the tigers that are born into Tiger Kingdom remain here for life and thus never exposed to the dangers associated with illegal poaching.

Tourists will find that the tigers in Chiang Mai are mostly inactive during the daytime hours. The big cats like to sleep throughout the day, perhaps as a result of the heat but also out of instinct — nighttime is when they become far more active. It’s the tiger’s natural behavior that helps foster the comfortable setting throughout daily interactions.

For adventure seekers and serious travel photographers, the Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai should be at the top of your list whenever you’re visiting Thailand. This is truly an experience unlike any other in the world and helps you appreciate the culture and environment throughout the surrounding area.